A guide to Amboseli National Park.
Amboseli National Park is a wildlife reserve located in the southern part of Kenya. The park is famous for its breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is Africa’s highest mountain. Amboseli National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kenya, and it’s easy to see why. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and many more.
The park covers an area of approximately 392 square kilometres and is located at an altitude of 1,150 to 1,200 meters above sea level. The park is situated in the Kajiado County, which is about 240 kilometres from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. The park is accessible by road, and visitors can also fly to the park’s airstrip.
One of the most notable features of Amboseli National Park is the view of Mount Kilimanjaro. The mountain is visible from almost every corner of the park, and it provides a stunning backdrop to the park’s wildlife. The best time to view Mount Kilimanjaro is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is low on the horizon.
Amboseli National Park is home to a large population of elephants. The elephants in the park are some of the largest in Africa, and they are known for their impressive tusks. Visitors to the park can see the elephants up close as they roam freely in their natural habitat. The park is also home to other wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and many more.
One of the best ways to explore Amboseli National Park is by taking a safari tour. Amboseli safari tours can be customized to suit the visitors’ interests and preferences. Visitors can choose between a full-day tour to 3 days of Amboseli safari and they can also opt for a walking safari in between a game drive.
The park has different types of accomodation where visitors can stay during their visit. The lodges offer comfortable accommodation and excellent amenities, including swimming pools, restaurants, and bars. Visitors can also choose to stay in tented camps, which offer a more authentic safari experience.
Amboseli National Park is also home to the Maasai people, who are known for their unique culture and way of life. Visitors to the park can interact with the Maasai people and learn about their traditions and customs. The Maasai people are known for their colourful clothing and intricate beadwork, which they sell to visitors as souvenirs.
In addition to wildlife viewing, Amboseli National Park offers several other activities for visitors. The park has several hiking trails that lead to scenic viewpoints and waterfalls. Visitors can also go bird watching, as the park is home to over 400 bird species. The park also has several picnic sites where visitors can enjoy a meal while taking in the park’s stunning views.
Amboseli National Park is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from June to October. During this time, the park’s vegetation is sparse, making it easier to spot wildlife. The dry season also coincides with the wildebeest migration, which is a spectacular sight to behold.
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Climate:
During the day expect average temperatures of around 28°C/82°F and 15°C/59°F at night. Visitors to Amboseli should bring along warm clothing for Mornings and evenings.
When is the Best time to visit Amboseli national park?
Amboseli national park is accessible throughout the year and operates from 06:00hrs till 18:00 hrs but the best time to view wildlife is during the dry season from June to October when animals gather around water holes for a drink
What are the different safari seasons in Amboseli?
In general there are 2 distinctive Kenya Safari seasons and it’s no different for Amboseli.
High / Peak Season: June to October
- The weather is mostly sunny with little or no rains, vegetation is low therefore Best time for game viewing since animals gather around the water holes for a drink.
- The park is frequented with tourists and accomodation are higher and so is the cost of safaris
Low /or Green Season: November to May
- April and may are the wettest months most accomodation suppliers tend to lower the prices of accomodation since the part is less frequented by visitors- Definitely the best time to save cost on your Amboseli Safari this also happens to be the best time for bird watching in Amboseli.
- Best views of Mt Kilimanjaro due to clear skies.
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How to get to Amboseli National park.
The park is accessible by road from either Nairobi or from Mombasa.
Driving from Nairobi to Amboseli is about 215 km /3 hrs 43 mins drive under normal traffic and 366.5 km /7 hr 17 min driving from Mombasa to Amboseli. It is also possible to access the Park by air from Nairobi Wilson Airport, Ukunda strip -Mombasa or Kilimanjaro Airport while using charter flights and scheduled flight to Amboseli Airstrip.
A flight from Mombasa to Amboseli National Park takes 1 hour and 30 minutes at a flight distance of 187 miles (301 km).
Things to do at Amboseli National park.
- Visit the Elephant Research Camp
The Amboseli Elephant Research Project (AERP). Was established in 972 by Cynthia Moss Since its inception; AERP has monitored Amboseli elephants, by identifying all the elephants in the population and collecting data on births, deaths and Behaviour. This provides a critical source of baseline data on elephants.
- Hiking to the Observation Hill
This is the highest point in the Amboseli national park located on the southern eastern part of the park where visitors can take a less strenuous walk and experience the best view of the sun rise as well as the sun set. Watch large herds of Elephants on site at the backdrop of the snow -capped Mount Kilimanjaro
- Bird Watching in Amboseli National park.
Amboseli national park is a home of over 400 bird species which can be easily spotted along swamp areas, grasslands, acacia woodland such bird species to be encountered in here include; Greater flamingo, Lesser flamingo, Long toed lap claw, Rufous chatterer, Spike-heeled heron, Tavete golden weaver, vonder Dicken’s horn bills, Dickinson’s kestrel, Common redshank, African swamp hen, pangani long claw, Hartlaub’s bustard among others. The best time to do birding in Amboseli national park starts from May to June and October to December. Remember to carry your binoculars to have clear sightseeing of bird species on far distances.
- Visit the Maasai People
On your Amboseli safari with Amet adventures you will have a chance to visit the Maasai people who live near the Amboseli national park and get to sample their way of life.
The Maasai people are one of the most known ethnic people in East Africa region because of their strong tradition and customs which have not been affected by technology to date.
Which Animals are found in Amboseli?
Amboseli hosts a diverse animal species which includes; Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dogs, Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Crocodile, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik- dik, Lesser Kudu, and Nocturnal Porcupine and a Prolific birdlife featuring 600 species. While Amboseli happens to be the best place to see free ranging elephants up-close the back drop of snow capped Mt Kilimanjaro, visitors looking to experience the big fives and wildebeest migration while on a Kenya Safari should include Masai mara National reserve
Where to stay in Amboseli national Park.
Is Amboseli National park worth visiting?
In conclusion, Amboseli National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves wildlife and nature. The park’s stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, its large population of elephants, and its diverse wildlife make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kenya. Visitors to the park can enjoy a wide range of activities, including safari tours, hiking, bird watching, and interacting with the Maasai people. With its comfortable lodges and camps, Amboseli National Park offers a unique and unforgettable safari experience for first timers on safari and can be well combined with a Masaimara Safari for a perfect Kenya safari experience
Contact Amet Adventures safari experts to help you customise a perfect Amboseli safari itinerary that suits your budget and travel requirements.
